A prototype of a flying machine, constructed by Václav Kadeřávek in Prague about 1860–1865 About twenty times in my career as a Computer Scientist and Public Inventor I have somehow informally presented an idea to someone or a group of people, only to hear them say, “That’s been done.” Sometimes they add some additional information …
What to do when you hear about your idea: “That’s been done…” Read More »
Ferrofluid is a suspension of tiny iron nanoparticles in mineral oil that behaves like a moving liquid magnet when placed in a magnetic field. It can now be inexpensively purchased at magnet supply stores like Apex magnets. It has some fascinating and beautiful behavior. You can use it make a liquid piston with no moving parts, …
Color is vivid. Throughout recorded history, it has been expensive to produce color compared to monochrome design. Writing systems, which have been constantly evolving since their invention initiated recorded history, have generally been monochrome. But now color is cheap or free, which raises questions: Is the next evolution in writing systems in the direction of …
Lately there has been a lot of interest in soft robotics. These tend to use pneumatics or hydraulics in fluid-tight chambers which change shape based on pressure. It is not easy to 3D print with flexible air-tight material. I have done it by using Ninja Flex and then treating it heavily with Methyl Ethyl Ketone …
Project #33: 3D Print Soft Robotics with PVA Molds filled with Silicone Read More »
Once upon a time, a bunch of Americans wanted to make their houses look like tiny versions of beautiful manors in England, where it rains a lot and sheep keep the grass short. But, they were unwilling to have sheep, because they would always get hit by the cars. So they invented the lawnmower. At …
Inventors are the most spectacular causative agents of humanity’s progress. Today invention mostly occurs within commercial firms and universities. Commercial firms primarily seek profit. Universities seek both money and renown from invention. Both firms and universities, the two great poles of the landscape of invention today, seek to temporarily monopolize inventions through patents and other means …
Once upon a time there was a boy who wanted to be a great inventor. Books and comics and movies put that idea into his head. He was small for his age and was born pigeon-toed and cross-eyed. He was terrible at ball games. He thought that if he was a great inventor like the …
